Electronic article surveillance marker assembly and method for making the same

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001This invention relates generally to security from shoplifting of articles of manufacture and pertains more particularly to electronic article surveillance marker assemblies for use with articles of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002One form of electronic article surveillance (EAS) marker in widespread use is in the form of a flat, thin, flexible, rectangular member which is applied adhesively to flat or curved exterior surfaces of articles. One shortcoming of such exterior surface application is that, while often covered by a bar code label, the presence of the EAS marker nonetheless is evident since it is visible from the sides of the bar code label. Still further, the EAS marker is accessible to a customer.

0003In commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,462, a garment hanger is disclosed which overcomes the foregoing disadvantages. Therein, a garment hanger is set forth which is comprised of a one-piece body having a hook portion for the receipt of a display rod, a central portion depending from the hook portion and a lower portion for engagement with an article to be displayed. The central portion defines a recess opening into an exterior surface of the central portion, the recess being of dimensions suited for residence of an EAS marker in the hanger. A bar code label or like recess closure member is affixed to the central portion exterior surface in contiguous overlying relation therewith and enclosing the resident EAS marker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0004The present invention has as its primary object the provision of EAS marker assemblies having the benefit of the '462 patent and applicability to articles of manufacture other than hangers.

0005In attaining this and other objects, the invention at hand provides a tag attachable to an article of manufacture and containing an EAS marker enclosed within the tag, the presence of the EAS marker being unknown to a customer.

0006More particularly, the invention provides an EAS marker assembly, comprising an EAS marker, at least one interior layer having an opening extending therethrough, the EAS marker being resident in the opening, and first and second opposed exterior layers secured to outer surfaces of the at least one interior layer, each of the first and second opposed exterior layers having continuous expanse in overlying relation to the EAS marker.

0007The tag assembly preferably has an aperture extending therethrough and defined collectively by the at least one interior layer and the first and second exterior layers.

0008The EAS marker is of a given rectangular configuration and the opening is of rectangular configuration larger than the given configuration.

0009The EAS marker assembly further includes an adhesive disposed between the EAS marker and the second exterior layer.

0010In another aspect, the invention provides an EAS marker assembly, comprising an EAS marker, first and second interior layers mutually secured to one another, each of the first and second interior layers having an opening extending therethrough, the EAS marker being resident in the openings of the first and second interior layers, and first and second opposed exterior layers secured respectively to outer surfaces of the first and second interior layers, each of the first and second opposed exterior layers having continuous expanse in overlying relation to the EAS marker.

0011The tag assembly preferably has an aperture extending therethrough and defined collectively by the first and second interior layers and the first and second exterior layers.

0012In a further aspect, the invention provides an EAS marker assembly, comprising an EAS marker, first and second interior layers mutually secured to one another, the first interior layer having an opening extending therethrough, the second interior layer having a recess in registry with the opening, the EAS marker being resident in the opening of the first interior layer and in the recess of the second interior layers, and first and second opposed exterior layers secured respectively to outer surfaces of the first and second interior layers, the tag assembly having an aperture extending therethrough and defined collectively by the first and second interior layers and the first and second exterior layers.

0013In a first method aspect, the invention provides a method for making an EAS marker assembly comprising the steps of: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li id="ul0002-0001" num="0014">(a) securing an interior layer having an opening for residence of an EAS marker to an exterior layer having continuous expanse in underlying relation to the interior layer opening;</li><li id="ul0002-0002" num="0015">(b) disposing an EAS marker in the opening atop the exterior layer, and</li><li id="ul0002-0003" num="0016">(c) securing a further exterior layer, having continuous expanse in overlying relation to the EAS marker, to the interior layer.</li></ul></li></ul>

0017In a second method aspect, the invention provides a method for making an EAS marker assembly comprising the steps of: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none"><li id="ul0003-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0004" list-style="none"><li id="ul0004-0001" num="0018">(a) forming individual sheet members into a stack by securing the sheet members to one another;</li><li id="ul0004-0002" num="0019">(b) providing an EAS marker;</li><li id="ul0004-0003" num="0020">(c) forming an opening in the stack having configuration for permitting residence of the EAS marker in the opening;</li><li id="ul0004-0004" num="0021">(d) placing the EAS marker in the opening; and</li><li id="ul0004-0005" num="0022">(e) securing at least one further individual sheet member to the stack in overlying relation to the EAS marker.</li></ul></li></ul>

0023In the second method aspect, the step (c) is practiced by making a die cut into the stack and forming a floor in the lowermost one of the first-mentioned individual sheet members and including the further step of providing an adhesive between the EAS member and the floor of the lowermost one of the first-mentioned individual sheet members.

0024The invention will be further understood from consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments thereof and from the drawings where like reference numerals identify like parts throughout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a top plan view of a first type of interior layer used in practicing the invention.

0026<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a right side elevation of FIG. <b>1</b>.

0027<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a sectional view as would be seen from plane III—III of FIG. <b>1</b>.

0028<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a top plan view of an exterior layer used in practicing the invention.

0029<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a right side elevation of FIG. <b>4</b>.

0030<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a sectional view as would be seen from plane VI—VI of FIG. <b>4</b>.

0031<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a top plan view of an assembly of the <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> interior layer, a lower exterior layer of type shown in FIG. <b>4</b> and an EAS marker.

0032<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a right side elevation of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, with an upper exterior layer of type shown in FIG. <b>4</b>.

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a sectional view as would be seen from plane IX—IX of FIG. <b>7</b>.

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a top plan view of a further version of an interior layer usable in practicing the invention.

0035<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a sectional view as would be seen from plane XI—XI of FIG. <b>10</b>.

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a plan view of an assembly of the <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> interior layer and an EAS marker.

0037<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a sectional view of an assembly of the <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> assembly with a further interior layer and exterior layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND PRACTICES

0038Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-3</figref>, a first type of interior layer <b>10</b> used in practicing the invention is comprised of a sheet material, such as cardboard, and defines a central opening <b>12</b> and a marginal aperture <b>14</b> therethrough.

0039Turning to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4-6</figref>, an exterior layer <b>16</b> used in practicing the invention is likewise comprised of a sheet material, such as cardboard, and is solid throughout except for defining a marginal aperture <b>18</b>.

0040In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, a partial assembly in accordance with the invention includes an underlayer constituted by exterior layer <b>16</b> with interior layer <b>10</b> secured to the upper surface of exterior layer <b>16</b>. An EAS marker <b>20</b> is disposed in central opening <b>12</b> of interior layer <b>10</b> and is secured to exterior layer <b>16</b> by an adhesive <b>22</b> (FIG. <b>9</b>). In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, an EAS marker assembly is completed by applying exterior layer <b>24</b>, which is identical to exterior layer <b>16</b>, to the upper surface of interior layer <b>10</b>. Apertures <b>14</b> and <b>18</b> and a like aperture (not shown) in exterior layer <b>24</b> are in registry, collectively defining a passage through the assembly and permitting a string of the like to provide for attachment of the assembly to an article of manufacture.

0041<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10 and 11</figref> depict a further version of an interior layer <b>26</b> usable in practicing the invention. Layer <b>26</b> defines a central recess <b>28</b> extending upwardly from floor <b>26</b><i>a </i>of layer <b>26</b> and opening into upper surface <b>26</b><i>b </i>of layer <b>26</b>.

0042Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12 and 13</figref>, a further EAS marker assembly in accordance with the invention will be seen to comprise upper exterior layer <b>30</b> (FIG. <b>13</b>), which is omitted from <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> to show interior detail, and lower exterior layer <b>32</b>. Layers <b>30</b> and <b>32</b> are identical in configuration to exterior layer <b>16</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4-6</figref>.

0043The assembly further comprises interior layers <b>34</b>, <b>36</b> and <b>26</b>. Interior layers <b>34</b> and <b>36</b> are identical in configuration to layer <b>12</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-3</figref> and layer <b>24</b> is configured as above discussed in connection with <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10 and 11</figref>. EAS marker <b>20</b> is disposed in the central openings of interior layers <b>34</b> and <b>36</b> and adhesive <b>22</b> is disposed in the central opening of layer <b>36</b> and in recess <b>28</b> of layer <b>26</b>.

0044In reaching the EAS marker assembly of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the invention will be seen to provides a method comprising the steps of: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none"><li id="ul0005-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0006" list-style="none"><li id="ul0006-0001" num="0045">(a) securing an interior layer having an opening for residence of an EAS marker, i.e., layer <b>10</b> having opening <b>12</b>, to an exterior layer having continuous expanse in underlying relation to opening <b>12</b>, i.e., exterior layer <b>16</b>;</li><li id="ul0006-0002" num="0046">(b) disposing an EAS marker in the opening atop the exterior layer, i.e., EAS marker <b>20</b> is disposed in opening <b>12</b> and secured by adhesive <b>22</b> to layer <b>16</b>; and</li><li id="ul0006-0003" num="0047">(c) securing a further exterior layer, having continuous expanse in overlying relation to the EAS marker, to the interior layer, i.e., layer <b>24</b> is secured to layer <b>10</b> in overlying relation to EAS marker <b>20</b>.</li></ul></li></ul>

0048In reaching the EAS marker assembly of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, the invention will be seen to provides a method comprising the steps of: <ul id="ul0007" list-style="none"><li id="ul0007-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0008" list-style="none"><li id="ul0008-0001" num="0049">(a) forming individual sheet members into a stack by securing the sheet members to one another, i.e., securing interior layers <b>34</b>, <b>36</b> and <b>26</b> to form the stack;</li><li id="ul0008-0002" num="0050">(b) providing an EAS marker, i.e., EAS marker <b>20</b>;</li><li id="ul0008-0003" num="0051">(c) forming an opening in the stack having configuration for permitting residence of the EAS marker in the opening, i.e., the central openings of layers <b>34</b> and <b>36</b> and recess <b>28</b> of layer <b>26</b>;</li><li id="ul0008-0004" num="0052">(d) placing the EAS marker in the opening, i.e., EAS marker <b>20</b> is placed in the stack opening; and</li><li id="ul0008-0005" num="0053">(e) securing at least one further individual sheet member to the stack in overlying relation to the EAS marker, i.e., securing at least exterior layer <b>30</b> to the upper surface of interior layer <b>34</b>.</li></ul></li></ul>

0054Various changes may be introduced in the disclosed preferred embodiments and practices without departing from the invention. Accordingly, it is to be appreciated that the true spirit and scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.